Overleaf was recommended in 3 of 3 AI answers.

The easiest option is Overleaf: it’s a LaTeX editor that runs in your browser, so you don’t install anything. You write and preview the paper online, and Overleaf handles compiling it into a PDF. Its free plan includes unlimited projects and sharing with one collaborator per project. (docs.overleaf.com)

A simple workflow:

1. Start from a template—ideally one provided by your journal, conference, or school.
2. Write the text and equations in the editor. Overleaf’s beginner guide includes interactive exercises you can do online. (overleaf.com)
3. Upload your figures and add captions; LaTeX can number figures and equations and keep cross-references updated. (overleaf.com)
4. Manage citations with a bibliography file, usually .bib; Overleaf supports common tools such as BibTeX and biblatex. (overleaf.com)
5. Download the finished PDF when you’re ready.

The trade-off: you’ll still encounter some LaTeX commands, so it isn’t quite as visually direct as a word processor. But for a research paper with lots of equations, figures, and citations, using Overleaf is usually much smoother than setting up LaTeX on your computer.

If you want to avoid LaTeX syntax entirely, a word processor may feel easier—but check its equation features first: Word for the web, for example, can display equations but can’t create or edit them. (support.microsoft.com)

If you want to avoid installing LaTeX, here are some practical alternatives for writing research papers with equations, figures, and citations:

Cloud-Based LaTeX Editors:

• Overleaf - The most popular option. It's a free online LaTeX editor where you can write, compile, and collaborate on documents without installing anything. It has built-in templates for research papers and handles citations automatically.
• ShareLaTeX - Another online LaTeX platform (now integrated with Overleaf).

Word Processors with Equation & Citation Support:

• Microsoft Word - Has built-in equation editor (Insert > Equation), supports figures easily, and can manage citations through tools like Zotero integration or Word's built-in citation features.
• Google Docs - Free and cloud-based; supports equations (though less elegantly than Word), figures, and has citation add-ons available.
• LibreOffice Writer - Free desktop application with good equation support and citation management.

Hybrid Approaches:

• Markdown editors (like Typora, HackMD) combined with Pandoc - You can write in simpler Markdown syntax and convert to professional formats. They support equations via LaTeX math mode, figures, and citation plugins.
• Notion or similar - User-friendly for organizing content, though less ideal for formal academic formatting.

My recommendation: If you want the easiest path with professional results, Overleaf is ideal because:

• No installation needed
• Designed specifically for academic papers
• Excellent equation support
• Built-in templates and automatic citation formatting
• You can collaborate in real-time

If you prefer something more familiar, Microsoft Word is the most straightforward for most people, with solid support for all three elements (equations, figures, citations) you mentioned.

If you want to avoid installing LaTeX locally (which can be a heavy, multi-gigabyte setup), you have a few great options depending on whether you want to avoid installing software or avoid LaTeX syntax entirely.

Here are the easiest ways to do it, ranked by workflow style:

1. The Standard Choice: Overleaf (Cloud LaTeX)

Best if you still want standard academic formatting and publisher templates, but zero local installation.

Overleaf is a web-based LaTeX editor that runs entirely in your browser.

• Equations: Uses standard LaTeX math syntax ($E = mc^2$), which is the gold standard for crisp rendering.
• Figures: Drag and drop images into the file tree and insert them via standard figure blocks.
• Citations: Upload a .bib file (easily exported from Google Scholar, Zotero, or Mendeley) and cite using \cite{key}.
• Why it's easy:
• It comes with thousands of pre-configured journal, conference, and thesis templates (IEEE, ACM, Springer, Elsevier, arXiv).
• It has a Visual Editor mode that lets you type formatted text, headings, and equations almost like a regular word processor without seeing raw code.
• Real-time collaboration and cloud auto-saving.

2. The Modern Alternative: Typst (Web App)

Best if you find LaTeX syntax too complicated, but still want professional, publication-grade PDFs.

Typst is a modern, lightweight alternative to LaTeX designed to replace it. It has a free web app that runs in your browser.

• Equations: Math syntax is much cleaner and more readable than LaTeX (e.g., $x^2 + y^2 = r^2$ or $sum_(i=1)^n i$).
• Figures: Simple markup: #figure(image("plot.png"), caption: [My Chart]).
• Citations: Uses a standard .bib or .yaml bibliography file; you cite inline with @author2023.
• Why it's easy: It compiles instantaneously (no waiting seconds for LaTeX to build), the syntax feels intuitive like Markdown, and the web app requires no setup.

3. The Pure WYSIWYG Route: Google Docs + Zotero

Best if you want a classic word processor and don’t want to write any code/markup.

If your discipline doesn’t strictly require a LaTeX/PDF template:

• Equations: Google Docs has a built-in equation toolbar (Insert → Equation), which also accepts standard LaTeX shortcuts (e.g., typing \alpha followed by a space automatically renders $\alpha$).
• Figures: Standard drag-and-drop with wrap-text options.
• Citations: Install the free Zotero browser connector. Zotero integrates directly into Google Docs as a toolbar menu, allowing you to search references from your library, insert numbered or author-date citations, and automatically generate a bibliography at the end.
• Why it's easy: Absolutely zero learning curve; anyone who has used Word can use it immediately.

Summary: Which should you choose?

Recommendation: If you are submitting to a conference or journal that uses standard academic templates, start a free project on Overleaf. If you are writing an independent paper, school report, or thesis and have flexibility in formatting, the Typst web app is by far the smoothest and fastest experience.